1. People with multiple sclerosis can’t or shouldn’t be physically active.

At one time, experts believed that physical activity would worsen multiple sclerosis, so they advised against an active lifestyle. This multiple sclerosis myth still exists despite the MS facts, according to Mary Karpinski, LMSW, a research coordinator at UBMD in Williamsville, New York. Karpinski frequently encounters families who want to keep children with multiple sclerosis out of activities to protect them, but she says that doctors and other MS families recommend the opposite. “Research now shows it’s better for you to get out there and get moving,” she says. Chose activities that suit your interests and your physical abilities, but make sure you’re active on most days of the week.

2. Multiple sclerosis doesn’t cause pain.

Many people living with multiple sclerosis will tell you the facts of this MS myth: They do feel pain. Nonetheless, some healthcare providers might not consider pain a symptom of MS, says John Corboy, MD, a neurology professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora. “Multiple sclerosis clearly does cause pain,” he says. An April 2013 article in the Journal of Neurology confirmed that people with multiple sclerosis can suffer with long term chronic pain, for which early intervention and treatment might provide relief.

3. I can’t do anything to help my MS.

Dr. Corboy explained that there are actually many steps people with multiple sclerosis can take to improve their quality of life and possibly slow the progression of MS. “Lose weight, don't smoke, exercise, and get their vitamin D level to 70 or more,” he says. Taking medications as prescribed will also make a difference. If you are feeling powerless over your multiple sclerosis, get started on this to-do list and talk to your medical team about other steps you can take.

4. I can’t work with MS.

Close to two-thirds of people with multiple sclerosis are working, according to research published in the January 2013 issue of the journal PLoS One, and of those who were not working, nearly half had retired early. Before you tender a letter of resignation, do some research. The Americans With Disabilities Act protects your right to stay employed and requires your employer to work with you on reasonable accommodations, such as flexible scheduling and workspace adjustments for mobility changes that enable you to do your job.

5. Multiple sclerosis is not associated with cognitive impairment.

Multiple sclerosis is typically thought of as a condition that affects mobility, but the MS fact is that it also affects your brain, said Corboy. The impact of multiple sclerosis on cognition and memory should be viewed like any other symptom. Today, doctors and researchers know that people with multiple sclerosis can experience difficulty thinking, remembering, and processing information. You may benefit from specific interventions to help improve memory and thinking, so tell your MS doctor if you’re experiencing these changes.

6. Multiple sclerosis treatment should start with less powerful drugs.

“The highest risk of developing irreversible problems is right after you are diagnosed,” Corboy says. Despite that fact, many patients and doctors still prefer to begin treatment with drugs that are less powerful and have fewer side effects. He attributed this misconception to a cultural preference for waiting and seeing how things progress, an approach that (at least with multiple sclerosis) could be harmful. Instead, he said, it might be better to begin treatment with stronger medications, even though they can have more side effects. If you have doubts about whether you’re on the most powerful medication suitable for your situation, be your own advocate and ask your doctor about your options.

7. Women with MS shouldn’t get pregnant.

Multiple sclerosis strikes three times more women than men and usually during childbearing years, so whether or not to become pregnant is a pressing concern for many women with multiple sclerosis and their partners. Experts emphasize that women with multiple sclerosis can get pregnant and might even find some relief from MS symptoms during their pregnancy, although relapse is possible within the three months after delivery. A mother’s multiple sclerosis has not been associated with any negative outcome for baby. If you have MS and want to be pregnant, talk with your doctor about the medications you're taking to control MS symptoms. Some MS medications should not be used during pregnancy.

8. Multiple sclerosis is contagious.

People around someone with multiple sclerosis might worry that, on some basic level, multiple sclerosis is contagious. This is in part due to the fact that “a relationship with Epstein Barr virus does exist, but there’s never been any evidence that it is contagious or in any way transmissible,” Corboy says. People with MS are much more likely than those without the condition to have signs of previous Epstein Barr infections, but the exact nature of the connection with MS isn’t clear. Corboy pointed out that researchers have failed to transmit multiple sclerosis in the lab to animals for research purposes, so it’s unlikely to happen in your home or community.

9. I’m going to be permanently disabled.

Perhaps you have known older relatives or family friends with multiple sclerosis who experienced severe disability. You might worry that you face the same disease course, but it’s difficult to predict the degree of disability for any specific person, especially with today's effective medications that can slow disease progression for many. There are a wide variety of mobility aids and other devices, as well as physical therapy know-how, to assist you in living your life, should you need them. Many people with multiple sclerosis find there are times when having a walker or cane is essential, while on other days, walking aids are unnecessary.

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